Spending lower in any daily fantasy lineup is a way to incorporate some diversity into your roster. In NHL DFS, there is typically more value in this strategy but also a good deal more risk. This is especially true on tonight's slate, where there are lots of lower-salaried plays. Plugging in these options will afford you more chances to play some studs, as well.
Where can you find good value plays?
Casey Mittelstadt, Center, Buffalo Sabres
FanDuel Salary: $3,600
With Don Granato in the fold, Casey Mittelstadt was a big beneficiary. The Buffalo Sabres also get a solid matchup versus a Montreal Canadiens team that played an emotional game on Wednesday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Mittelstadt is expected to play on the top line and get top power-play time, as well. The Buffalo center had five double-digit FanDuel-point nights during his final eight contests last year. The young center is capable of picking up where he left off.
Elsewhere, Teddy Blueger ($3,300) holds some value from the Pittsburgh Penguins despite a tough matchup with the Florida Panthers.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Wing, Carolina Hurricanes
FanDuel Salary: $4,000
The Carolina Hurricanes' forward will be a viable play as long as he is paired with Sebastian Aho and Martin Necas. Necas and Aho are dynamic players who can allow Jesperi Kotkaniemi to operate in space. This will hopefully alleviate some of the pressure placed on the young forward.
It is no secret that Kotkaniemi struggled in Montreal last season, but the winger did score five goals early in the playoffs last year as Montreal made its deep playoff run. His playing time in Montreal decreased, and he was even a healthy scratch against Tampa Bay in the finals. That being said, Kotkaniemi is expected to have renewed fantasy value with Carolina.
Lawson Crouse ($4,100) could be an under-the-radar value for Arizona. He is slated to play on the top-line for the first time in his career.
Alexandre Carrier, Defenseman, Nashville Predators
FanDuel Salary: $3,600
Alexandre Carrier arguably made a player like Ryan Ellis expendable in Nashville. The young defender will have some growing pains, but Carrier did play 20-plus minutes in four straight playoff appearances against the Carolina Hurricanes last year.
The Predators' defense may not be all that attractive after Roman Josi, but Carrier is salaried so low and is expected to get plenty of minutes. Carrier fired three or more shots on net in each of his last six games in 2021.
Some other budget possibilities on Thursday night include Esa Lindell ($3,600) and Radko Gudas ($3,600).
Elvis Merzilikins, Goalie, Columbus Blue Jackets
FanDuel Salary: $7,300
The Columbus Blue Jackets are going to have a frequent space in many value columns throughout most of the 2021-22 NHL season.
Elvis Merzlikins is projected to score 20.2 fantasy points on Thursday night, which is the fourth-most among goalies. That is partially due to Columbus is going up against a lighter offense in the Arizona Coyotes.
The Blue Jackets' goalie is not the only netminder who could hold some value. Some other lower-salary goalies worth looking at tonight are Juuse Saros ($7,800) and Cal Petersen ($7,700) on Thursday night. Both are on home-ice and could have good days.
Chris Wassel is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Chris Wassel also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username chriswassel. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his/her personal views, he/she may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his/her personal account. The views expressed in his/her articles are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.